Keiko Fujimori will seek teh presidencyโข of โPeru for a fourth time, her political party Fuerza Popular announced this week. The decision follows appeals from party leadership who emphasized the necessity โof her candidacy, according to party official Torres, who stated they sought to address “fears” and acknowledge the โ”sacrificial” nature of another run. Fujimori ultimately decided to runโค wiht the support of โคher daughters, Torres said.
Fujimori’s renewed bid comes amid a periodโข of intense political instability in Peru, which has โฃseen eight โขpresidents in the last decade and is preparing for its ninth presidential election in April 2026. While โฃshe has reachedโฃ the second round in the past three elections – defeated by โOllanta Humala in 2011, Pedro โขPablo Kuczynski in โค2016, and Pedro Castillo in 2021 – she has never secured the presidency. Despite not winning the top office, Fujimori’s party wielded notable influence during the Kuczynski administration, holding a majority in congress.
That congressional majority proved pivotal in Kuczynski’s 2018 resignation, โfollowing โฃaccusations – which he โฃdenies – of purchasing votes from congressmen to avoid removal amid a scandal involving the Brazilian construction company Odebrecht. The parliamentary group accused Kuczynski of lying about his relationship with Odebrecht, leading to a vacancy process.
Fujimori’s repeated presidential campaigns reflect her enduringโ presence in Peruvian politics, despite never achieving victory. Her latest candidacy sets the stage for another potentially divisive election in a country grappling with ongoing political turmoil.